low coolant

**VinNyS4** · 04-25-2008 11:30 PM

Ok so I finally found a nice s4 for a good price today and picked it up. I checked out the car before I drove it and the coolant was good in the normal range. I drove the car from new hampshire to nyc this afternoon and realized that my coolant was a little below min when I got home. There is no white smoke from the exhaust or white foam in the dipstick so I dont think it a head gasket. Do you think it could just be a simple leak somewhere? or maybe just needs so extra coolant? BTW do all you guys with s4's motors run hot? while driving it was in the normal range, but when I got home I made the car sit for a little and the it went slightly above the normal range after idling for about 5-7 mins

**Overboostin** · 04-25-2008 11:36 PM

Temperature will go up when the cars idling and not moving because air wont really be passing that well over the radiator. Check the hoses that go to and from the expansion tank. My return one was leaking down the side of the tank a bit.

**obijohn22** · 04-26-2008 06:22 AM

Sometimes, the secondary waterpump will leak a little after shut down or during high temps. Maybe just a drip or two at a time but it will add up over a period. Pop the hood with the car running after it is fully warmed up and see if you can smell any antifreeze. In my opinion if the oil nad antifreeze both look to be uncontaminated with the other, then you are ok and may chase down a leak later. good luck

**Daft** · 04-26-2008 07:41 AM

I would pull the front motor cover (one that reads V6 Biturbo) and check down under the intake manifold for coolant spills. That car may have a leaking afterrun pump. Not an earth shattering fix but, you can't leave it that way.

The seller may have topped it off before you picked up the car to hide the lowered level.

Pink crust under the intake manifold is the tip off:

**VinNyS4** · 04-26-2008 09:22 AM

thanks alot for the great replys I will check later and see if I find anything.

**JDM EJ1 95** · 04-26-2008 10:21 AM

Let it idle a lot in the driveway see if it overheats.

i honestly think your having bigger problems than just a leak. thats quite a bit of coolant to lose on a drive like that.

**obijohn22** · 04-26-2008 11:03 AM

Oops, i missed the fact that the loss occured in one day. that does seem high, did the previous owner just do anything like a flush and fill or a service that would have needed the coolant drained? If so, it is not uncommon for small pockets of air to work out and cause the level in the overflow to go down. I am just saying it is a possibility. But be very vigilant about finding the cause ASAP.

**JDM EJ1 95** · 04-26-2008 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by obijohn22

Oops, i missed the fact that the loss occured in one day. that does seem high, did the previous owner just do anything like a flush and fill or a service that would have needed the coolant drained? If so, it is not uncommon for small pockets of air to work out and cause the level in the overflow to go down. I am just saying it is a possibility. But be very vigilant about finding the cause ASAP.

Then go beat the previous owners ass cause you find its a headgasket.

hopefully not though.

**Auburnsky1287** · 04-26-2008 11:00 PM

My secondary water pump blew and leaked out a bunch of coolant. I'd check that.

**gointoscott** · 04-26-2008 11:04 PM

I would think if it was leaking that much you would smell the sweet odor of the antifreeze. Did you notice that at all? Especially when you shut the car off and get out of the car you'd notice it.

**VinNyS4** · 04-27-2008 12:22 AM

no didnt smell no anti freeze burning and no white smoke, before I bought this car I looked at another one and that had a head gasket leak tons of white smoke and very low antifreeze. got the oil changed today it was black from the last owner..Going to get the engine flushed the next oil change(3k). Also added some coolant early this morning and just checked it and it was right were it was this morning when I filled it so hopefully everything is good ad it was just low.